Considering the details of electric cars vs. gas cars if you are in the market for a new vehicle is not an easy task. You will want to understand how gas and electric cars differ in ways that go beyond the type of engine each has.
Which is more affordable? How do they rate on convenience? Are electric cars better for the environment? Or conversely, are electric cars bad for the environment? Are electric cars better than gas cars in the end? It helps to have clear answers to these and other common questions.
Cost of electric cars vs. gas cars
The biggest consideration when comparing electric cars vs. gas cars is cost. You need to think about more than the sticker price. You will want to figure in the cost to power it and maintain it. Knowing how gas and electric cars differ in each category of cost will help you in your decision-making process.
Tax credits for electric cars
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is bringing down prices, making them increasingly more affordable. Many brands and models also qualify for Federal electric vehicle tax credits. Together with state and local incentives, they lower how much you may pay to buy one. Starting in January 2024, the $7,500 tax credit is available at the point of sale in many cases, rather than having to wait until you receive your tax return to get the credit. Something to be aware of: There are income caps for the federal tax credit, so not all households are eligible.
Electric vs. gas car fuel costs
When considering choices between electric cars vs. gas cars, you will want to look at differences in costs of charging an electric vehicle and filling the average car with gas. Your costs will vary by fuel prices where you live and the type of driving you do.
Figure out the cost to charge an electric car each month by looking at what you pay for a kilowatt-hour of electricity and multiply that by the number of kilowatt-hours you will use. In general, your EV will go about 3 miles per kilowatt-hour. Therefore, you must divide the miles you will drive by three and then multiply that number by the price you pay for each kilowatt-hour.
For a gas vehicle, divide the number of miles you drive each month by the miles per gallon the car gets. Multiply that number by the cost of gasoline to estimate your fuel costs.
Many energy providers and utilities offer specialized electricity rates that are lower at night, when many EV owners tend to charge. This helps optimize your charging cost making your EV even more affordable.
Maintenance costs of gas vs. electric cars
Why are electric cars better than gas cars? Lower maintenance costs are a big reason. Here are some of the differences:
- Electric motors and batteries require less routine care than gasoline engines. You don’t have to worry about oil changes and replacing as many moving parts in an electric motor.
- Some things are the same. You’ll still have to rotate tires and maintain brakes, for example.
- The average lifetime maintenance cost of an electric vehicle is $4,600 vs. $9,200 for a gasoline vehicle, according to Consumer Reports.
Electric vs. gas vehicle range
In the debate addressing why electric cars are better, range of travel and charging issues are frequently discussed. Range capacity differs tremendously from vehicle to vehicle and depends on how much weight is in your car, wind, your speed, terrain, and even tire traction.
Finding an electric car charging station, especially fast charge options, is getting easier as more units are installed. The time it takes to charge depends on how cold it is, your battery type, how low your batteries are and what kind of charger you are using. Planning ahead will ensure you can travel free of frustrations, as will an EV home charger installation.
Electric vs. gas vehicle torque and acceleration
To answer the question, why are electric cars better than gas cars, you also have to consider performance. Two of the most important statistics to study are torque and acceleration. Torque measures engine strength expressed in pounds per foot. Electric engines have the edge on torque. They also shine when it comes to acceleration. Electric vehicles go from 0 to 60 miles per hour faster than gas powered cars.
Are electric cars better for the environment?
The answer is complex if you consider the cost to manufacture them, the inputs that go into their batteries, and the issues with recycling used batteries. Manufacturing innovations are constantly driving down the carbon footprint of building both gasoline and electric cars. Battery technology is also evolving. Recycling is being addressed, as well.
It is easier to answer the question, are electric cars better for the environment, thinking strictly about emissions. Operating electric vehicles emits far less greenhouse gas than a gasoline vehicle, particularly if you charge it with electricity from renewable sources.
Electric car vs. gas car carbon emissions
To compare differences in carbon emissions from each car type, the EPA uses a model developed by Argonne National Laboratories, called the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET).
Using the comprehensive model, Reuters compared a Toyota Corolla rated at 33 MPG with a Tesla 3 with a 54 kWh engine. They found the vehicles were initially even. However, when the Tesla passed the 13,500 mile it would do less harm to the environment than the all-gas model.
Learn more about the environmental impact of greenhouse emissions in this Carbon Footprint 101 article.
